Look no further for your Thanksgiving dinner planning! We've got turkey recipes (smoked, deep-fried, roasted, sous vide!), easy appetizer recipes, desserts and sides, even a wine pairing guide from our wine connoisseur friend, Jameson Fink! Also, check out our Thanksgiving Holiday Recipe Page here and don't miss these Pinterest boards for even more recipes!
• Appetizers
• Cocktails
• Side Dishes
• Salad Recipes
• Desserts & Baking
• Thanksgiving Recipes
Learn How To Carve A Turkey Like A Pro!
6 Tips for the Perfect Roast Turkey
1. Brine Your Turkey: Soaking in a brine will flavor the bird as well as keep it moist. Learn how by watching this video.
2. Flavor The Bird: Make sure to adequately salt and pepper the turkey and fill the cavity with aromatic vegetables, herbs, and lemons.
3. Dry the Skin Before Roasting: Don't forget to pat down the turkey before putting it in the oven. The excess moisture will prevent the skin from getting crisp. (This does not include fat).
4. Use a Thermometer: A thermometer is the best way to check for doneness. It should register 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the bird.
5. Start the Oven High and then Lower the Temperature: Start the turkey at 425 degrees F to help crisp the skin for 20 minutes and then lower to 350 degrees F until cooked through.
6. Let the Turkey Rest Before Serving: Letting the turkey rest allows the juices to redistribute so that it will be moist and flavorful (this goes with any meat!).
Turkey! Turkey! Turkey!
Maple Glazed Turkey
Contributed to Foodista by Nicole Aloni
"Closed Oven" Turkey
Contributed to Foodista by Taste and See
Simple Herb Roasted Turkey
Contributed to Foodista by Alejandro Duarte
Easy Deep Fried Turkey
Photo: TheCookingPhotographer
Photo: woodleywonderworks
Tender and Juicy Sous Vide Turkey Breast
Stuffings, Sides & Salads
Jalapeño Cornbread Stuffing
Photo: Silvia Song
Buttermilk Cornbread and Sage Stuffing
Photo: Maggie Hoffman
Apple, Cranberry & Sausage Stuffing
Courtesy of Empire Baking
Sourdough Stuffing with Sage Sausage and Apples
Wild Rice Stuffing with Cranberries and Hazelnuts (Gluten Free)
Porcini Mushroom Stuffing
This mushroom stuffing is great in mushrooms as an appetizer or stuffed into your bird!
Photo: Nikki L
Joël Robuchon’s Famous Pommes Puree Recipe (Buttery Mashed Potatoes)
Mashed Potatoes with Garlic, Sage & Goat Cheese
Havarti Dill Au Gratin Potatoes
Contributed to Foodista by Seaweed & Sassafras
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crumble Topping
Ginger Sweet Potato Casserole
Contributed to Foodista by Bigelow Tea
Honey Dijon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Red Onions and Pancetta
Contributed to Foodista by Diana Bauman
Cauliflower and Broccoli Gratin With Camembert Cheese
Contributed to Foodista by The Coffee Break
Homemade Green Bean Casserole
Photo: tomcensani
Sweet Corn Pudding
Courtesy of My Family Table: A Passionate Plea for Home Cooking by Chef John Besh
Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Garlic
Photo: mkosut
Pecan Topped Sweet Potato Casserole
Photo: mroach
Julia Child's Buttered Peas With Mint
Potato and Leek Gratin
Photo: tristanf
Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Contributed to Foodista by CandyGirl
Easy Delicious Pan Gravy
Photo: Special*Dark
Fennel and Orange Salad with Toasted Hazelnuts and Cranberries
Contributed to Foodista by Kiss My Spatula
Arugula Salad with Pomegranate, Avocado and Goat Cheese
Contributed to Foodista by Winnie Abramson
Southern Pear Salad
Photo: abyssalmissile
Sardi's Hearts of Palm Salad
Photo: Nina Gallant
Fig, Apple and Roquette Arugula Salad
Contributed to Foodista by RAWk Me!
Mary Bogue's Outrageous Cranberries In Cabernet Sauvignon
Photo: Veganbaking.net
Appetizers
Things get hectic on Thanksgiving day and the last thing we want to spend precious time on is an elaborate appetizer spread. Those just spoil the appetite anyway! When it comes to holiday entertaining my philosophy is "half-homemade/half store-bought." Don't have time to make your own fresh Hummus? Buy a plain version and dress up the top with some herbs and a flavorful olive oil. In less than 10 minutes you can make your own Herb and Spiced Goat Cheese. Or, throw mushrooms in balsamic vinegar for some delicious Rosemary Thyme Marinated Mushrooms. Below are some more of my favorite easy, crowd-pleaser holiday appetizers that you can make without breaking a sweat.
Easy Herb and Spiced Goat Cheese
Dukkah
This delicious Egyptian nut and spice blend is excellent served with olive oil-dipped bread.
Quick and Easy Hummus
Photo: La.Blasco
Homemade Parmesan Thyme Crackers
Rosemary Thyme Marinated Mushrooms
Blue Cheese Stuffed Peppadew Peppers
Head for the olive bar in your supermarket and pick up some of those little red peppers. They're sweet and just a bit spicy - perfect for stuffing with a pungent cheese like a blue (they're also great with goat cheese!).
Holiday Spiced Nuts
Photo: Girlichef
Easy Brazilian Cheese Puffs (Pao de Queijo)
Contributed to Foodista by Homemade Bites
Just 3 ingredients! And, they're gluten free!
Desserts
The Quintessential Apple Pie
Courtesy of Art of the Pie
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Caramel Sauce
Contributed to Foodista by Cooking With Michele
Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Photo: Veganbaking.net
Apple Pear Cranberry Crisp
Contributed to Foodista by Munchin with Munchkin
Fabulous Poached Pear and Brown Butter Tart
Contributed to Foodista by Kasey Fleisher Hickey
Pumpkin Latté Crème Brûlée
Contributed to Foodista by Culinary Crumbs
Cardamom Pear Upside-Down Cake
Contributed to Foodista by Chelsea Rutherford
Poached Pears in Red Wine
Contributed to Foodista by Living the Gourmet
Spicy and Savory Pumpkin Pie
Contributed to Foodista by May I have that recipe?
Meyer Lemony Apple Crumble
Contributed to Foodista by Integral Living & Eating
Southern Pecan Pie
Photo: @joefoodie
Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Pie
Wines to Pair with Thanksgiving Dinner
Courtesy of Jameson Fink - Wine Without Worry
Sparkling Wine
What is more festive than bubbles? Not only are sparkling wines a great way to greet your guests at the door, they are also fantastic food wines. The bubbles and zest inherent in sparkling wines have a cleansing and refreshing effect on your palate as you transition from each distinct taste on your crowded holiday plate.
Rosé
It's not just for summertime sipping. Dry rosé not only has the added benefit of looking pretty on the table, but is great with poultry and vegetables.
Beaujolais
While Nouveau gets all the attention this time of year, I like to beat the drum for Beaujolais-Villages and Cru Beaujolais. Though made from the Gamay grape (like Nouveau), these are more serious expressions of Beaujolais that are wonderful with a slight chill and will convert any fan of lighter-style reds. Made from the best sites in the region, Cru Beaujolais has enough brawn to handle duck and even beef.
Any Crisp, Dry White
You can't go wrong with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from any part of globe. I'm also fond of Gruner Veltliner from Austria, especially when you can get it in a cool one liter bottle, which makes it extra-sharable. Both are very good with green salads.
Whatever You Like To Drink!
Zinfandel? Cabernet? Chardonnay? Saving a special bottle to share? Relax and enjoy the wines that make you happy. But be sure to try a few sips from everything on the table. With such an array of flavors on hand and within arm's reach, it's a great opportunity to sharpen your experience with food and wine pairings.
